This is an inexpensive type of floor covering that the homeowner often uses in their bathrooms and kitchen. It is composed of various types of plasticizers and polyvinyl chloride.
You can purchase it in solid sheets or vinyl tiles. It is a favorite option when you have a tight or small home improvement budget because of the ease of installation and low cost.
Today many households are using vinyl plank flooring because of its versatility, low cost, and durability. As with any type of flooring there are advantages and disadvantages of using it.
Advantages of Having Vinyl Flooring
- The cost — when manufactured vinyl plank flooring was created it was to mimic the feel and look of having a real wood floor but at a fraction of the cost. To the untrained eye it is difficult to tell the difference between real wood and vinyl. This means that when you choose his type of flooring you can enjoy the aesthetics of having real wood.
- Durability — on the market today vinyl plank floors is one of the most durable and is more durable than a real wood floor. It is good flooring for areas of high- traffic and is hardly vulnerable to bumps, other defects, and scratches that you see with a real wood floor. It is also water resistant and can be installed anywhere in your home.
- Installation — it is one of the easiest floors to install in any type of space
- Comfort — they are comfortable on the feet and the planks add an extra layer of insulation, making it a good choice for more sound proofing. It also does not create noise underfoot.
- Maintenance — it is very easy to maintain, only needing to be vacuumed followed by mopping with a damp cloth. It also does not stain easy.
- Refurbishing — overtime to restore the floor to its original condition it will only need a few touch-ups. With it being so cheap it can be easily replaced if necessary.
Disadvantages of Having Vinyl Flooring
- Durability — although the flooring is very durable and withstands warping and chips it is susceptible to scratches. In high traffic area these can begin to show overtime.
- Fading — overtime this flooring has been known to fade, especially if it is exposed to direct sunlight.
- Installation — before having the flooring installed by flooring contractors you will need to make sure that you have a sub-floor installed because vinyl planking floors are not as solid as natural wood planks.
- Cleaning — when mopping the floor you will need to use cleaners that have been manufactured specifically for vinyl flooring because some solvents and cleaners could damage the floor.
So before choosing vinyl plank flooring for your home make sure that you look at all the advantages and disadvantages and make an informed decision. Even with the disadvantages this type of flooring is still a good option for your home. The most important advantage of course is the cost because not everyone can afford to have real wood floors installed in their home.
Source: Flooring Downriver Michigan
The part of your article that mentioned the durability of vinyl flooring was really helpful to read. This is because we’ve been having a hard time maintaining our current floors since they keep buckling from all the spills and stains we’ve had recently. To make sure our house can still have great flooring down the line, I’ll look for any place that provides vinyl plank flooring right away.